MFGA-led Reports, Fact Sheets, Research
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Grazing ruminants are an integral part of the long-term success of agriculture production systems. It was grazing ruminants that allowed the deep rich topsoil of the prairies around the world to develop as they migrated across the landscape in concert with a plethora of diversity.
Manitoba Rangeland and Pasture Health Initiative
People making decisions about the use of natural grasslands (ie. rangelands) in Manitoba are at a disadvantage to those in Alberta and Saskatchewan in obtaining information about grassland plant community composition, successional status, forage production potential and effects of different land management practices (eg. different types of grazing, industrial disturbance, prescribed burning).
Argentina Forage Finished Beef
This 6-page brochure is a summary of the Technology Transfer Mission – Argentina Forage Finished Beef.
A Guide to Integrated Brush Management on the Western Canadian Plains
The manual has been designed to present a wide variety of options for controlling or managing woody plant growth. Each chapter details the method, timing of application, equipment needed, costs, impacts on biodiversity, and some actual examples. Finally, the monitoring chapter provides step by-step guidelines on how to evaluate brush encroachment and the success of control efforts.
Pasture Planner – A guide for developing your grazing system
The 49-page Pasture Planner was developed to assist with the development and/or modification of the existing grazing system. This publication contains information on stocking, watering, animal control, fencing, facilities, pasture assessment and more.
Producing Forage Finished Beef in Manitoba
This 28-page booklet has been produced by MFGA for those producers interested in delving into this niche market. The document provides a detailed description of the elements required to produce high quality beef on a forage-only diet. Thank you to our supporters: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Technical Assistance Component, Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council and Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.
A series of 2 projects completed which contains 5 Technical Bulletins, these materials can assist beef producers in making informed decisions related to different aspects of cow-calf operations by allowing them to evaluate the potential outcomes of alternative beef production systems.
These interactive spreadsheets will help you determine your costs and return for the production of grass fed beef.
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These fact sheets have included involvement from Manitoba Forage & Grassland Association, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Brandon Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Greencover Canada Program, Covering New Ground, and the University of Manitoba.
Forage Finished Beef Factsheet
Effects of summer pastures with and without alfalfa on cow-calf productivity
Effects of summer pastures and winter feeding strategies on reproductive performance of beef cows
Effects of winter feeding strategies with and without extended grazing on cow-calf productivity
Economic performance of various summer pasture and winter feeding strategies for cow-calf production
Energy-use of various summer pasture and winter feeding strategies for cow-calf production
Sod Seeding into Existing Forage Stands
Tips for Improving Forage Establishment Success
Remote Winter Watering Systems for Beef Cattle
Annual Crops – An Excellent Way to Increase Your Feeding Flexibility
Backgrounding Calves with Manitoba Forage
A Quick Guide to Extended Grazing
Benefits of Including Forages in Rotation
Prevention of Pasture Bloat in Cattle Grazing Alfalfa
Sustainable Livestock Wintering: How Can it Work For You?
Livestock Wintering - Locating & Managing Your Site
The Basics of Marketing Cash Hay
Feed Quality of Stockpiled Forage
Forage Management Practices from the Best
Protect Alfalfa from Winterkill
Snow as a Water Source for Wintering Cattle
The Basics and Benefits of Bale Grazing
Impact of Alfalfa and Fertilizer on Pastures: Carbon Sequestration
Impact of Alfalfa and Fertilizer on Pastures: Cow-calf Productivity and Forage Quality
Impact of Alfalfa and Fertilizer on Pastures: Economics
Impact of Alfalfa and Fertilizer on Pastures: Forage Quality
Impact of Alfalfa and Fertilizer on Pastures: Importance of Alfalfa
Impact of Alfalfa and Fertilizer on Pastures: Pasture Carrying Capacity
Impact of Alfalfa and Fertilizer on Pastures: Soil Fertility and Nutrient Recycling
Impact of Alfalfa and Fertilizer on Pastures: Energy Use Efficiency
Impact of Alfalfa and Fertilizer on Pastures: Methane Production
ARTICLES
Industry-led Reports, Fact Sheets, Research
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REPORTS
Rangeland Ecology and Management paper
Published May 2021, this recently completed AGGP study documents the management-based differences between our AMP and n-AMP operators. In subsequent analyses of data (e.g., on water infiltration, C storage, and plant forage and diversity responses, etc.), examinations were done not only on the categorical effects of AMP (vs n-AMP), but also the pasture-based differences relative to nuanced management practices, such as stock density, stocking rate, rest period, etc.
What is Carbon Sequestration and How Does it Work?
Read this deep dive into Carbon Sequestration published by the Clarity and Leadership for Environmental Awareness and Research Centre (CLEAR) at UC Davis.
The Benefits of Cattle for Carbon Storage and Biodiversity in the Canadian Prairie
Cattle and beef production have gained a negative opinion by some segments of the general public. However, past research done within the Canadian Prairie and in other regions have demonstrated that with appropriate management, cattle on native grasslands can increase some of the EG&S that we value.
The Benefits of Cattle for Carbon Storage and Biodiversity in the Canadian Prairie
Over 40% of the earth’s terrestrial surface is used for grazing livestock, this includes the Canadian Prairie. While overgrazing has broadly been recognized as detrimental to EG&S, in North America the condition of rangelands has steadily been improving and fewer rangeland are overgrazed.
A Study: The Social and Environmental Benefits
of Manitoba’s Community PasturesWith input from MFGA, IISD has developed a study on “The Social and Environmental Benefits of Manitoba’s Community Pastures”, summarizing the benefits and related economic values of community pastures managed by the Association of Manitoba Community Pastures in Manitoba, Canada.
U of Alberta AMP Grazing Study
Title: Adaptive multi-paddock grazing improves water infiltration in Canadian grassland soils
Study highlights: Adaptive multi-paddock grazing enhances water infiltration in grassland soils; Longer rest following early season cattle grazing aids water infiltration; Water infiltration is negatively associated with bulk density on grazed grasslands; Litter accumulation enhances water infiltration under adaptive grazing management.This project was undertaken to better understand the perspectives and values of the landowners and beef producers who steward grasslands in southwestern Manitoba. Attitudes towards species at risk, grassland conservation, and conservation program preferences were examined through online surveys and in-person interviews. From these results, an attempt was made to identify opportunities for developing lasting partnerships.
The Manitoba Protein Advantage
Manitoba Agriculture launched a new protein section on its website to inform stakeholders about the progress and opportunities surrounding the Manitoba Protein Advantage Strategy. This new section communicates Manitoba’s advantages related to investment attraction, access to quality protein sources (including commodity specific profiles) and the expertise in protein innovation offered by research agencies and academic institutions.
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GUIDES
Grassland Conservation Incentives Guide
A comprehensive guide to the financial incentives available to Prairie producers to improve, preserve or restore prairie habitats. With over 45 programs and funding sources in this easy to use guide, you can make an informed decision on what programs will help achieve your operation’s production and ecological goals.
Grazing Cover Crops: A How-To Guide
The use of cover crops in row crop farming is becoming increasingly popular. According to a February 2013 bulletin from USDA-NRCS, there are four keys to improving soil health and increasing soil organic matter (SOM).
Cost of Production Guides and Tools
MARD has developed tools which include cost-of-production tables, templates and calculators to increase producer knowledge and farm management skills, leading to increased profitability and success in farm enterprises. These cost estimates act as a starting point for farm budgets that can be adapted to your operation using your farm records and can be viewed as PDFs or Excel workbooks. Ongoing development of innovative calculators is an excellent resource for producers and industry stakeholders and cover a range of topics including Beef, Sheep, Bison, Hay, Pasture etc.
The Government of Manitoba supplies a Feed Plan Calculator.
Sod Seeding (Seeding forages into existing stands with minimal tillage)
A 39-page guide for sod seeding in pdf.
Here’s a great forage that you should think about for your pastures, what it can do for you, and how you can manage it best so it can do its job.
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FACT SHEETS
Prairie Watersheds Climate Program - Rotational Grazing FACT SHEET
Prairie Watersheds Climate Program - Cover Crop FACT SHEET
Prairie Watersheds Climate Program - Nitrogen Mgt FACT SHEET
Herd Management Drought Assistance Factsheet
Herd Management Drought Assistance Frequently Asked Questions
Herd Management Drought Assistance - Determining Payments Video
Herd Management Drought Assistance - Two-Step Application Process Video